SEVERAL major mobile networks including EE and Vodafone have reintroduced roaming charges in recent months.
But several networks still waive these fees and let their customers browse the web in Europe for free.
GettyThere are still a handful of mobile networks which don’t charge customers extra to use their data abroad[/caption]
Right now, ten mobile networks still allow customers to use their UK data allowance while abroad in the EU free of charge.
These include BT Mobile and Plusnet, iD Mobile, O2, Virgin Mobile and Smarty and more.
However, not every network is equal and some issue data caps which limit the total amount that can be used for free when abroad.
It’s important to remember that free-roaming shouldn’t be the only thing you consider when choosing a mobile network, it’s important to look at overall cost and allowances within the UK too.
Here’s a full list of providers that don’t currently charge you to use your mobile phone abroad.
Asda Mobile
Asda Mobile customers can make calls, send texts and use data in 37 European destinations, including France and Spain, without facing an extra charge.
But all bundle customers have a 5GB data roaming limit, regardless of whether your bundle limit is higher than this.
Once you have used 5GB of data you will be charged 10p per MB, the same as you would pay for data in the UK.
Customers will receive a text when they reach 80% and 100% of the data limit.
You can find the full list of countries eligible for free roaming on the Asda Mobile website.
BT Mobile and Plusnet
Both owned by the BT Group, these two carriers allow all customers to continue enjoying inclusive roaming when they travel to the EU and beyond.
Under their “Roam Like Home” policies, both BT Mobile and Plusnet customers can use all of their data allowed while abroad without facing any international fees.
But if your contract gives you 20GB or more of data each month, the networks may apply a surcharge if you use more than its fair usage policy allowance of 15GB of data in one monthly billing period.
And if you use up all your data allowance, you’ll be charged the following rates:
BT Mobile customers will pay 13.06p per mb and Plusnet customers 10p per MB.
You can find the full list of countries eligible for free roaming on the BT or Plusnet website.
Giffgaff
Giffgaff plans can be used in the EU and selected destinations at no extra cost.
However, all plans come with a 5GB roaming cap.
If you have breached the 5 GB cap, you will be charged 10 per MB for the remainder of the month.
The same policy applies to those who are on an unlimited data plan.
You can find the full list of countries eligible for free roaming on the Giffgaff website.
iD Mobile
All iD Mobile plans come with inclusive EU roaming.
This feature lets you roam like at home in 50 destinations throughout the EU, European Economic Area and beyond.
The minutes, texts and data you use simply come out of your remaining monthly allowances.
If you use all your data allowance, you’ll be charged 10p per mb from then on.
You can find the full list of countries eligible for free roaming on the iD Mobile website.
Lebara
If you’re travelling within the EU with a Lebara sim-only plan, your allowances will work as they do in the UK.
Customers can use up to 30GB of data before they face a charge.
This rule applies to those with unlimited data sime too.
If you need more than 30GB while in the EU, you can buy a new plan or add a bolt on to continue using data services.
Customers can spend between £3 and £10 for a to add up to 5GB to their allowance.
You can find the full list of countries eligible for free roaming on the Lebara website.
O2
If you’re travelling within the EU on O2, your allowances will work as they do in the UK.
However, data usage within the EU is subject to a roaming limit.
If your UK monthly data allowance is over 25GB, you’ll have a roaming limit of 25GB.
This means you can use up to 25GB of your allowance at no extra cost.
You can still use data if you reach the roaming limit but you’ll be charged £3.50 per GB for your ongoing usage.
If your UK monthly data allowance is less than 25GB you won’t be subject to the 25GB roaming limit.
But if you use all your UK data abroad, you’ll need to buy a data “Bolt On” if you want to keep roaming.
Data “Bolt On’s” costs start at £3.50.
You can find the full list of countries eligible for free roaming on the O2 website.
Superdrug Mobile
Superdrug Mobile customers can make calls, send texts and use their data when travelling within Europe.
Data comes out of your monthly allowance or data add-ons up to a fair use limit of 12GB.
If your plan is 15GB or more, your data will be capped at 12GB per month when in the EU and to continue to use data you need to purchase a data add-on.
You can find the full list of countries eligible for free roaming on the Superdrug Mobile website.
Virgin Mobile
Virgin Mobile offers a “Roam Like Home” policy which enables customers to use their UK allowance of minutes, texts and data in the EU just as they would in the UK.
If you use all your data allowance you’ll be subject to extra charges at £3.65 per GB.
You’ll usually be sent a text once you hit 80% of your usage to keep you aware of how close you are to run out.
But be aware that, Virgin Mobile customers are in the process of moving over to O2.
You can find the full list of countries eligible for free roaming on the Virgin Mobile website.
Smarty
Subject to Smarty’s fair usage limit, you can use up to 12GB of data each month out of your monthly allowance when travelling in the EU.
If you need more data, you can buy a data add-on.
These cost £3 if you want to extend your data allowance for a single day.
Those wanting to extend their allowance for a further 3 days would need to spend £7.
You can find the full list of countries eligible for free roaming on the Smarty website.